Miliband backs solar and wind projects covering farmland nearly the size of Manchester

"On Tuesday, the energy secretary awarded consumer-funded subsidies to 134 new solar farms across England and a further 23 in Wales and Scotland. He also approved 28 large onshore wind projects, mainly located on hillsides in Scotland and Wales. Among the schemes given the green light is the vast West Burton solar farm on prime agricultural land on the Lincolnshire-Nottinghamshire border, as well as one of the UK's most northerly solar developments on farmland in north Aberdeenshire."

"Under the government's Contracts for Difference (CfD) regime, operators of the new projects will receive a guaranteed minimum price for the electricity they generate for up to 20 years after becoming operational, with the difference funded through levies on consumer energy bills. The announcement was welcomed by renewable energy developers and industry groups, who argue that large-scale solar and onshore wind are among the cheapest ways to generate new electricity."

Ed Miliband approved a large expansion of renewable projects across the UK, including solar farms covering farmland nearly the size of Manchester and numerous onshore wind developments. He awarded consumer-funded subsidies to 134 solar farms in England and 23 in Wales and Scotland, and approved 28 onshore wind projects mainly in Scotland and Wales. Approved schemes include West Burton solar on agricultural land, a northerly solar site in north Aberdeenshire, and the 20MW Imerys Wind Farm in Cornwall. The approvals total 4.9GW of solar, 1.3GW of onshore wind and four experimental tidal schemes totalling 21MW. Operators will receive guaranteed minimum prices under the Contracts for Difference regime for up to 20 years, funded via levies on consumer energy bills. Industry groups described the projects as cost-effective, while countryside and community campaigners warned of potential long-term damage to farmland and rural landscapes. Labour's shadow energy secretary warned the subsidies could raise household bills.

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